Solar-powered floating pool heater

ABSTRACT

A solar heater for floating on water generally comprises a flexible outer ring and a bottom cover. The ring and the cover can absorb solar radiation, reduce pool water evaporation and preserve heat in pool. Holes through the cover permit drain of rain from above the cover and egress of air from under the cover.

REFERENCE CITED 3,949,095 April 1976 Pelehach et al. 3,984,882 October 1976 Forman et al. 4,022,187 May 1977 Roberts 4,103,368 August 1978 Lockshaw 4,146,015 March 1979 Acker 4,222,366 September 1980 Acker 4,284,060 August 1981 McCluskey 4,313,421 February 1982 Trihey 4,426,995 January 1984 Wilson 4,601,072 July 1986 Aine 5,059,296 October 1991 Sherman 5,511,536 April 1996 Bussey et al. 5,860,413 January 1999 Bussey et al. 5,938,900 August 1999 Reynolds 6,171,490 January 2001 Kim 6,385,791 May 2002 Bussey, Jr. et al. 6,640,353 November 2003 Williams 7,093,593 August 2006 Rosene, et al. 2010/0282240 November 2010 Hare 2012/0024372 February 2012 Delgado 9,200,465 December 2015 Mireshghi

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention generally relates to systems for heating swimming pools and retaining heat in swimming pools

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With the high cost of oil, gas and electricity, the heating of swimming pools is expensive. Various types of inventions have been proposed to use solar radiation to heat the water. Some solar heaters require permanent installation of coils of pipe and which require pumps to circulate the heated water, and which are expensive.

Other proposed to use a sheet of cover to cover the swimming pools. The sheet of cover may utilize light weight thermoplastic film layers, having features like reflective integral air-pockets (U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,536). The cover must be removed from the pool before the pool can be used. The cover is expensive as it must be custom made for each pool. The cover requires large storage space, when it is not used.

The Lockshaw U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,368 illustrates a pool cover having solar energy heating capability is provided comprising sheet material adapted to furl about a reel less locus in a storage position and to be deployed in an extended position. The cover must be removed from the pool before the pool can be used. The cover is expensive as it must be custom made for each pool. The cover requires large space to store, when it is not used.

The Pelehach U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,095 illustrates a solar heating device for swimming pools comprising an inflatable raft having a thermally reflective bottom surface and a thermally transparent top surface, and means for elevating at least a fraction of said reflective surface above the swimming pool surface during periods of diminished solar radiation to reduce heat loss from the water. The Pelehach structure requires a pump to circulate the water. It is expensive, hard to use and suffers from other shortcomings.

The Acker U.S. Pat. No. 4,222,366 illustrates a solar pool heater which has a submersible tubular ring attached to the perimeter of a transparent or translucent sheet. The Acker structure does not provide for efficient heat collection. The Acker structure is expensive to construct, store, shipping and maintain.

The McCluskey U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,060 illustrates a floating solar heater which includes a top cover; a vertical outer side wall with inclined inner side wall segments connected thereto, an outside rim and a bottom wall. The inner side wall segments are octagonal, coated with light reflective material, and aid in reflecting the sun's rays to heat the space inside the walls formed by the cover which dead air space also provides for floatation of the heater. The bottom wall is heated by direct sun impingement and by the air in contact with it and is formed of a material having high heat conductivity. The McCluskey structure is expensive to manufacture, store, shipping and maintain. It does not require removal from the pool for pool use. However it is expensive to construct, store, shipping and maintain.

The Rosene U.S. Pat. No. 7,093,593 illustrates a solar pool heater for floating on water which uses an inflatable ring to support the pool heater, which has a center hole serves to permit egress of air from under the heater. Rosene's heaters hold together by the magnets on the edge. Heaters must be removed entirely or partially before use. The hole in the center does not efficiently permit egress of air. The Rosene's structure is soft in the ring with valves, which is easy to cause air leakage. When deploy on water, the rings are easy to overlap to each other and are easy to be blown off by wind.

The pool heater of my invention does not require removal before the pool is used. It has a hard frame. It is inexpensive, easy to construct, shipping and store and it is energy efficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects of the invention to become apparent hereinafter are accomplished in accordance with the present invention by the provision of the cover structure hereinafter to be described.

The invention is a solar heater for floating on water and it comprises a flexible pipe or a plurality of pipes, a coupling or a plurality of couplings and a multi layers cover, which has a dark color to absorb solar radiation, and which has layer to preserve heat, and which has a reflective film at the bottom side to reflect heat radiates from swimming pool.

The pipes and couplings can construct a closed shape. In the preferred embodiment of design, the solar heater is a ring shape, which is constructed of one pipe and one coupling. In another embodiment of design, the solar heater is a square shape, which is constructed of four pipes and four couplings, with each coupling having ninety degrees angle. In another embodiment of design, the solar heater is a hexagon shape, which requires six pipes and six couplings, with each coupling having one hundred and twenty degrees angle.

The bottom cover has multi layers films. In one embodiment of design, the bottom cover has one transparent upper film and one dark color lower film. The upper film and lower film form a thermo sheet with a plurality of bubble chambers in between. The embodiment of design allows solar radiation to pass through upper film, while the lower film absorbs the radiation to heat water. Air bubble chambers between upper film and lower film provide an effective and enhanced insulation barrier against heat loss from the pool.

The holes on the multi layers cover permit flow of rain from above the cover and egress of air from under the cover, when the heater is placed on the surface of water.

The object of the invention is to provide a durable low cost floating solar pool heater that is energy efficient, easy to store, easy to construct and require low maintenance.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, before construction

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment in FIG. 1, after construction.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the preferred embodiment in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross session taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross session taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of second embodiment of the invention, before construction.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of second embodiment of the invention, after construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the several Figures, identical call outs are used to identify identical structure. FIG. 1 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the solar pool heater of the invention before construction. Flexible plastic pipe 101, typically varies from 1/2 inch in diameter to 2 inches as a maximum diameter. Depending upon the end use of the solar pool heater, the length thereof will also vary. Flexible plastic coupling 102, typically the outer diameter of 102 is a little less than the inner diameter of 101. Hence, 102 can be placed into 101 to connect two ends of 101 to form a closed ring shape. Different means of method could be used to connect 101 and 102. One method would be to use plastic glue to glue 101 and 102 to ensure the ring shape will last. Plastic coupling 102, typically varies from 3 inches long to 6 inches. The length of plastic coupling 102 is much shorter than the length of plastic pipe 101. Bottom cover 103 is a multilayers thermo material. The upper side of 103 is transparent or semitransparent plastic film. The lower side of 103 is a dark color film, which absorbs solar radiation. There is a plurality of small air pockets 105 between upper side film and lower side film. A plurality of small air pockets 105 enable solar heater to reduce heat lost when the pool water temperature is higher than air temperature. Bottom cover 103 includes air escape means, such as a plurality of through holes 104, for allowing rain to flow from the top of bottom cover 104 and air to escape from below the bottom cover 104, when solar heater is placed on water. Through-hole 104 also allows water on the bottom cover 104 to drain down to pool.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the solar pool heater of the invention after construction; In FIG.2 coupling 102 has been installed into plastic pipe 101. A portion of 102 residues in one end of plastic pipe 101, while the other portion of 102 residues in the other end of plastic pipe 101. Connection line 201 is where the two ends of plastic pipe 101 meet. Coupling 102 connects both ends of 101 to form a plastic ring 200. Bottom cover 103 has been attached to outer ring 200. The upper side of bottom cover 103 has contacts with outer ring 200.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 2. It shows the outer ring 200, the bottom cover 103 and the connection line 201

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross session taken on line 2-2 of FIG.2. The dark shade area 401 is the cross session of plastic pipe 101. The dark shade area 402 is the cross session of the coupling 102. 403 is the cross session of bottom cover 103, which has two films, the upper film 405 and the lower film 404. Lower film 404 is made of dark color thermo material, allowing the solar pool heater to absorb solar radiation. Upper film 405 is made of transparent or light color thermo material. 406 is the cross session of air pocket 105, air pocket 105 enable solar heater to reduce heat lost when the pool water temperature is higher than air temperature.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross session taken on line 3-3 of FIG.2. The dark shade area 401 is the cross session of plastic pipe 101. FIG.5. shows one embodiment of cross session that only has plastic pipe 101, but not has coupling 102. The bottom cover has two films, the upper film 405 and the lower film 404. Lower film 404 is made of dark color thermo material, allowing the solar pool heater to absorb solar radiation. Upper film 405 is made of transparent or light color thermo material. 406 is the cross session of air pocket 105, air pocket 105 enable solar heater to reduce heat lost when the pool water temperature is higher than air temperature.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of second embodiment of the invention, before construction. Flexible plastic pipe 601, typically varies from ½ inch in diameter to 2 inches as a maximum diameter. Depending upon the end use of the solar pool heater, the length thereof will also vary. Flexible plastic coupling 602, which has a 90 degree angle, typically has outer diameter a little less than the inner diameter of 601. Four plastic pipe 601 and four right 602 can connect together to form a closed square shape. Different means of method could be used to connect 601 and 602. One method would be to use plastic glue to glue 601 and 602 to ensure the square shape will last. Bottom cover 603 is a square shaped, multilayers thermo material. The upper side of 603 is transparent or semitransparent plastic film. The lower side of 603 is a dark color film, which absorbs solar radiation. There is a plurality of small air pockets 105 between upper side film and lower side film. A plurality of small air pockets 105 enable solar heater to reduce heat lost when the pool water temperature is higher than air temperature. Bottom cover 603 includes rain draining means and air escape means, such as a plurality of through holes 104, for allowing air to escape from below the bottom cover 104, when solar heater is placed on water. Through-hole 104 also allows water on the bottom cover 104 to drain down to pool.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of second embodiment of the invention, after construction. Square shape floating solar pool heater 700 is made from four plastic pipes, four connect couplings and one bottom cover. 

We claim:
 1. A floating solar pool heater comprising: an outer ring and a bottom cover; said outer ring defining a closed shape; said bottom cover attached to said ring to form a half open space; whereby said one or more floating solar pool heaters inherently float on the pool water surface, and heat the water by absorbing solar radiation.
 2. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said outer ring are formed of synthetic plastic material.
 3. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said outer ring is constructed of flexible pipes and couplings; in the preferred embodiment of the invention said outer ring is constructed of one pipe and one coupling to form a circle shape; in a second embodiment said outer ring is constructed of four pipes and four couplings to form a square shape.
 4. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said bottom cover comprises a transparent upper film and a dark color lower film; and the upper film and lower film form a thermo sheet with a plurality of bubble chambers in between; the lower side of cover rests substantially on the water when solar pool heater is placed on water.
 5. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said bottom cover is made of sufficiently pliable plastic material so as to be rolled into a bundle.
 6. The solar pool heater as defined in claim 1 wherein: said bottom cover has holes for flow of rain from above the cover and egress of air from under the cover when solar pool heater is placed on water. 